Harare (New Ziana)- The construction of Kunzvi Dam, touted to be the solution to Harare’s water woes, is on course and progressing quite well with the dam wall now halfway complete, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has said.
Kunzvi Dam, being constructed on Nyagui River on the boundary of Goromonzi and Murehwa Districts in Mashonaland East is one of the ongoing major dam construction projects currently being implemented as Government moves to ramp up the country’s water security.
In a statement, ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager Marjorie Munyonga said dam construction, which started in 2021, was progressing smoothly.
“The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) is pleased to advise that construction of Kunzvi Dam is on course and progressing quite well with the dam now 50 percent complete.
“Current work at the site includes core trench excavation with a cumulative total of 103, 390 cubic metres of core material having been excavated on the right bank while a total of 277, 660 cubic metres of the same have been excavated on the left bank.
“Cumulative core material placing has been carried for 65 metres on the left bank with 681, 370 cubic metres having been placed. A cumulative 18, 460 cubic metres of core material has been placed on the right bank. Fill placement on the dam embankment has been done on 70 metres with a total of 361, 750 cubic metres having been placed to date on the left bank.
“Work on the intake tower is also in progress with steel fixing underway. Rip rap placing is also part of the ongoing activities at the dam where 10 760 cubic metres of rip rap have been placed to date with 225 cubic metres of rip rap currently stockpiled at both the upstream and downstream slopes. Excavation of the riverbed also remains ongoing and 54 850 cubic meters has been excavated from the riverbed,” she said.
When complete, the Dam is expected to also provide water for the surrounding Juru, Musami and Cross rural service centres, together with Majuru Business Centre in Goromonzi.
It will also provide irrigation water for 500 hectares at irrigation schemes set to be established in the two districts of Goromonzi and Murehwa for families that were reorganized to pave way for the dam.
Kunzvi Dam will also provide raw water for the eastern parts of Harare, which have perennially experienced acute water challenges.
New Ziana